- Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
What is your personal connection to the blindness community?
At the age of four, I was hit in the left eye with a stick and from that day on I grew up with vision in one eye. I have never let my visual limitations dictate what I can do.
I was diagnosed with glaucoma in my right eye 15 years ago. I was so overwhelmed. I was determined it would not get my vision. I did everything the eye doctors told me to, but the eye drops were not enough. At one follow up appointment I was told I had retinal hemorrhaging. That was a devastating blow. I have had multiple surgeries attempting to lower the pressure and slow the progress of the disease, but the glaucoma continued to slowly take my vision. I always followed the treatment plan of the doctors, but the disease just would not relent. By 2021 I was told I should not drive. That was a depressing day for me. I tried to be positive, but I was getting more and more depressed. The eye doctor gave me a referral to a therapist for short term therapy which was very helpful.
I am a nurse practitioner and because of my limited vision, I could not continue seeing my patients. My employer has been exceptionally accommodating and I moved into a triage nurse position. The office manager has always made it possible to get any of the adaptive equipment I need to continue working.
I have been a nurse for over 30 years. Caring for others has been my life. My new position is good for me, but I want to get back to taking care of patients. I just could not sit idlily by and let my vision change take my career away from me. I decided I needed to go back to school. I want to continue providing care to others.
By 2022 I had significant vision loss and was told I was legally blind. The eye doctor told me I could apply for disability. I told her “I am not disabled." That is when the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind entered my life.
How has MCB's Vocational Rehabilitation Program helped you?
I had already gone back to school at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I met with Bill Hersh, MCB’s Low Vision/Assistive Technology Specialist. He came to my home and completed an evaluation which help him determine what equipment I would need to continue my employment and would also help with my new adventure of taking classes at UMass. Before meeting with Bill, I was using Narrator, Read aloud and Magnifier to get my course work done. It was not easy. Through MCB’s Vocational Rehabilitation Program I have been training on the computer with Fusion, JAWS, and Zoom Text. Course work has been much easier with these tools. I have lost some contrast vision and I now have some fancy tinted glasses that help me with contrast.
I live in a very rural area of Massachusetts where public transportation is not available. Private transportation is not always readily available. MCB has met my needs for training by arranging for me to have the training I need for Fusion in my home.
MCB is helping me cover the cost of my courses and materials needed to complete the certification program I am enrolled in at UMass.
What is your current job?
I work as a triage nurse in a small, private family medicine office. It is a significant change from taking care of patients.
Do you use assistive technology to help you complete tasks at work?
I use glasses that are tinted to help with contrast. I also continue to use Magnifier and Narrator.
If you come across an obstacle at work, how do you approach the situation?
I often just make time to meet with the office manager and discuss what I need. Together we figure out how to adjust or change what is needed to help me. If it is just something small, I can always count on the staff in the office. They are always helpful. The office I work in is a small private practice and we all work together as a team.
Do you have any advice for people who are adjusting to life with vision loss?
Believe in yourself. You can do it. My son, Raymond, has a motto – I do not know where it comes from, so I hope I am not palletizing - “Winners never quit, and quitters never win.” Whatever you set your mind to doing, keep your focus on that goal. The approach to learning may be a bit different than what you were used to, but it is possible.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
I used to paint and draw. I stopped for a while but have recently started to draw again, first with charcoals and now with pastels. It feels great to be back at it. I recently started kayaking. That is a brand-new adventure.
What is your life motto?
Winners never quit, and quitters never win.
Complete this sentence: "I wish that everybody knew..."
I wish that everybody knew how precious they are. Life is not always an easy road to travel, but the people you meet along the journey are little gifts or blessings to keep your journey full.
